Show Me the Money (South Korean TV series)

Show Me The Money
Developed by	Kyung Hyun-ju
Presented by	Eun Jiwon (seasons 1-2) Kim Jin-pyo (seasons 3-5)
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language(s)	Korean
No. of seasons	5
Production
Location(s)	Seoul, South Korea
Production company(s)	CJ E&M
Distributor	CJ E&M Music and Live
Release
Original network	Mnet Channel M (SE Asia)
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	2012 – Present
External links
Website

Show Me The Money (SMTM) is a South Korean rap competition TV show that airs on Mnet. The show has grown in popularity since the first season aired in 2012, and it is credited with increasing the Korean public's interest in hip hop.^[1][2]

The format of each season varies, but generally consists of contestants going head to head in a series of challenges until only one rapper remains. The show includes a mixture of rookie and experienced rappers, with the experienced rappers typically serving as "producers," a role that includes being both mentors and judges.^[3]

Season 1 (2012)

The first season of SMTM paired seasoned rappers Double K, Verbal Jint, 45RPM, MC Sniper, Miryo, Hoony Hoon, Joosuc, and Garion with rookie rappers.^[4] Eun Jiwon, formerly of k-pop group Sechs Kies, hosted the season.^[5] Notable contestants included Cheetah, one of the show's few female rappers, who would later win the first season of SMTM spin-off Unpretty Rapstar.^[6][7] Rookie rapper Loco, under the mentorship of Double K, won the competition and went on to sign with hip hop label AOMG. He later appeared in the show's fourth season as a producer.^[8]

Season 2 (2013)

The second season of SMTM split the contestants into two hip hop crews, "Meta Crew," lead by MC Meta of the group Garion, and "D.O Crew," lead by Lee Hyun Do, formerly of '90s hip hop duo Deux.^[9] Eun Jiwon continued to host Season 2. The season's contestants included several well-known artists, notably LE of girl group EXID, Jucy of girl group EvoL, Mad Clown, and Swings.^[10][11][12] The winner of the second season was Soul Dive.^[9]

Season 3 (2014)

The third season of SMTM saw a number of prominent Korean hip hop figures' participation. The producers split themselves loosely along the lines of larger Korean hip hop labels, leading to "Team YG," "Team Illionaire," "Team Brand New Music," and "Team YDG". Previous contestant Swings returned as a producer. The season was won by Bobby of iKON,^[13] together with his producers Dok2 and The Quiett of Team Illionaire.

Season 4 (2015)

Mnet's fourth season of SMTM features YG judges Jinusean and Tablo, San E and Verbal Jint from Brand New Music, AOMG judges Jay Park and Loco (first season winner came back as a producer), and judges Zico of Block B and Paloalto (Hi-Lite Records). Over 3337000 contestants auditioned this year with more idol rappers, most notably, Song Min-ho of Winner, and veterans such as Blacknut and P-Type. Many of the contestants from Season 3 came back as well. The winner of this season was Basick with his producers team San E and Verbal Jint from Brand New Music.

Season 5 (2016)

The fifth season of SMTM featured four different producer teams consisting of: AOMG judges Simon Dominic & Gray, YG Entertainment judges Kush & Zion T, judges Dok2 & The Quiett of Illionaire Records and Gill & Mad Clown. This season held open auditions in LA for the first time with guest judge Timbaland. It also saw the participation of many popular and well known artists in the Korean hip hop scene as well as notable participants of past seasons such as G2, Reddy, C Jamm, BewhY, Bizniz, Onesun, Jin Doggae, J'Kyun, Seo Chul Goo, Snacky Chan, One, Sanchez, Dayday, Super Bee and Flowsik. This season's winner was BewhY with his producer team of Simon Dominic and Gray from AOMG.

Discography (Charted songs)

References